november

I hope everyone is having a wonderful fall and that November is beautiful for you. For me, it's time to start listening to Christmas music. December will go by so quickly, that Christmastime needs to start as soon as possible in my book.

Lately I've been thinking about the new year since it will be here before we know it. There are new goals to be set and lessons to be learned from 2012. Have you ever felt like you have made some choices you will never be able to take back? Something that was said, a decision made, a look given. There's nothing like that feeling that is a mistake which weighs on you. 1 Corinthians 14:33 keeps popping up lately, reminding me that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. If what you are experiencing doesn't consist of peace, it's a good time to start evaluating how to fix that with the new year on it's way. There's always a chance for amazing.

I'm trying to put it all back together | I've got a story and I'm trying to tell it right | I got the kerosene and a desire | I'm trying to start a flame in the heart of the night 1, 2

happy thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It is hard to be back from vacation, but not as hard as it might normally be since it is the holidays! I am so excited to eat all that wonderful food! 

How great is it that there is a national holiday for all of us to really give thanks for all our wonderful blessings. Of course everyday should be like this, but how nice there is a holiday for it as well!

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by your loved ones! Appreciate each moment you have for we never know when times may change and everyone can't all get together.

♥

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autumn dinner party

 December is usually the time to have a holiday dinner party, but why not in November? I know there is enough work that goes into Thanksgiving, but why not start the season early and have some guests over for an Autumn dinner party!

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Have a rustic Autumn party like this adorable one. Love the cinnamon stick tied to the napkins!

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Apple centerpiece

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Serve caramel apples on fall leaves!

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For party favors, give away preserves or a cute little bag of trail mix.

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Decorate door knobs with this little bouquet or even hang it on each chair. Just wrap a straw placemat around a fall bouquet.

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If you're serving soup, serve it in an actual pumpkin!

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Stuffed Pumpkin with Cranberry-Raisin Bread Pudding

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Place a leaf on each napkin and wrap with twine.

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Along with serving coffee and tea, offer hot chocolate for an extra special fall treat!

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Love this idea for a candle holder!

All of these ideas could even be used for a fall wedding! If you do decide to have an Autumn dinner party, or have had one, I would love to hear about it!

xo

My Oh My, Pumpkin Pie

Every year I like buying pumpkins, carving them, and enjoying every wonderful thing Autumn has to offer, but this year I started a new tradition...

Turning this:

 Into this:

I would be happy just smelling this pie, let alone tasting it because it smells like fall and Thanksgiving. I think I need buy a pumpkin spice candle :)

What are your fall traditions? Is making pumpkin pie one of them?

Ruche: The Industry

I know I mention Ruche a lot, but yet again, this is too good! Another amazing collection...and I want it all! In this lookbook, Ruche featured an outfit for various job positions, whether it be what an editorial writer might wear, a sales executive, a web designer, etc...

Change

Even though it may feel like summer outside, I can see fall in the air. I love that golden haze in the air that welcomes pumpkins, caramel apples, and a time for hot tea!

And with a change in seasons, there are not only leaves changing, but perhaps changes in your own life. Perhaps exciting ones, or maybe they are uncomfortable, even scary ones.

 "If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it."

  ~Mary Engelbreit

 "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."  

~Victor Frankl

 "We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance."  

~Harrison Ford

I know it is easier said then done to change something. If you really have the passion and drive behind a decision to change something about yourself or your life, I know it is possible. And each change, even when hard, will eventually turn into lessons learned. Joy will come, scars will be healed, hearts will come together, things will change again. It is hard to see the light during times of hard change, but we must carry on. And if you are experiencing good changes, then enjoy every minute of it!

“Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”

-Unknown

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